Brodsky Crashes Congestion Pricing Debate

Assemblyman Richard Brodsky is taking to the steps of City Hall today to denounce Mayor Bloomberg's congestion pricing plan, raising concerns about is implementation, economics, and effect on privacy. As for its implementation, Brodsky says though the mayor is touting the plan as a pilot program, the legislation gives the mayor discretion to continue the program beyond three years.

The report, titled "Any Inquiry into Congestion Pricing as Proposed in PlaNYC 2030 and S.6068" also says the legislation needs stronger safeguards to ensure that the data collected by 1,000 new security cameras would be protected.

More importantly, Brodsky, a Westchester Democract, says congestion pricing would a classic regressive tax, a fee that would take more money from struggling households than from wealthy ones. "There is no real dispute that the people whose behavior will be modified, as well as the people from whom the bulk of the money will be extracted, are working families," the report said.

Streetsblog.com fired back at Brodsky today, taking a look at $16,700 in campaign contributions that Brodsky's accepted from interests connected to the parking lot industry. No state legislator has accepted more from the parking industry than Brodsky, streetsblog.com said.

While congestion pricing is debated, a July 16 deadline to apply for federal aid to implement the plan is fast approaching. If the plan were approved, city officials hope to get as much as $500 in federal transporation funds.